Step 0: Preliminaries

Step 1: Simple Layer-by-Layer

Learn Leyan's Beginner Solution, a simple layer-by-layer (LBL) method, which solves the first, middle, and last layers in that order. Keep the cross on either bottom (or left) during the first two layers. This makes looking ahead much easier and is crucial for getting faster. Read Getting Faster with an Easy Method and start practicing to look ahead.

Step 2: 4-Look Last Layer

Leyan's solution takes multiple algorithms to for each of the four last-layer steps (edge/corner orientation, edge/corner permutation). Learn 4-Look Last Layer (2-Look OLL and 2-Look PLL), which solves each step in one look.

Step 3: Fridrich for the Lazy

3a: 3-Look Last Layer

Algorithms needed: 31 last layer algorithms (the same 10 orientation algorithms from Step 2 and 15 new permutation algorithms for a total of 21 PLL)

3b: Standard F2L

Leyan's solution solves the first-layer corners then the middle-layer edges. Using F2L (First 2 Layers), one solves a corner and an edge simultaneously, solving the first two layers in four algorithms. Learn standard F2L.

Algorithms needed: 41 F2L "algorithms," many of which are intuitive and short (only the first 3 or 4 moves are essential).

Although memorizing algorithms is of course important, at this stage looking ahead is much more crucial to getting faster times. Once you are comfortable with the algorithms, start praticing to look ahead. After learning both Steps 3a and 3b:

Step 4: Full Fridrich

Learn full OLL. This step is simultaneously the least important and the one that requires the most memorization. For cubers who are already very good at two-step OLL, learning these algorithms might only improve their time by 2 seconds or so.

Continue working on lookahead. For sub-20 average, a good goal is 3 tps.